Nobody is going to war with North Korea. There is zero upside and infinite downside. I don't know if you've been watching the presidency but it's pretty clear we've got a Madness of King George situation going on there. Everybody with any real control is exerting all they can to keep their jobs and keep this thing on the rails; Trump for his part is using security council meetings to demand we drive 80-ton M1A1 Abrams tanks down Pennsylvania Ave because it would look impressive.

This man doesn't give a fuck about North Korea. He doesn't give a fuck about policy. He wants to appear tough, he doesn't want to appear as an indiscriminate butcher and even if he did, there is no one of any seriousness who wants to open that charnel house.

Military engagement with North Korea would look like Saipan, except Saipan is the size of Manhattan Island and North Korea is the size of Pennsylvania.